lpn relocating to Dallas, TX area

Hello everyone . am an lpn/lvn with 0-8 months experience relocating to dallas texas area . cant find job here in maryland . never been to texas , but have been told getting a lvn job is not a difficult as maryland , plus cost of living is low . apt here i $ 1200 / mnth + utilities . can some pls tell me how the lvn job market is in dfw area. and also the starting rate. also about decent apartment below $ 600 / month for 1 bedroom . ps relocation on own , dont have a job lined up . would like some info about RN school in area . thank you

[guest2210]

There are several places online that you can go to and research the area. Try going to the TX BON web site, also try the forum here for TX and post this same question there. Good luck to you...

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I have been an LVN in the Dallas metro area for the past 4+ years. I very recently earned my RN license.

The LVN job market is becoming increasingly tougher in this area, especially for newer grads, due to several factors. First of all, many nurses are relocating to Texas from out of state due to the economy, and the majority tend to make either Houston or Dallas their destination to live. Second, there are several LVN programs in the area that continually churn new nurses out into the job market every few months when the demand is waning. Third, patient census is dwindling at many facilities as people opt to not have elective medical procedures performed. Fourth, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement has dwindled for services in the specialties that many LVNs work, such as hospice, home health, and private duty, which means less money and less hiring. And lastly, nursing is not recession-proof, so the LVN job market has been affected by the slumping economy.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Additionally, here is a list of all of the bridge programs that I can think of in DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth area), North Texas, and East Texas. Keep in mind that many people who live in the DFW area commute to outlying schools in the country because the city schools tend to have fiercely competitive admissions.

1. Tarrant County College, Fort Worth (LVN-to-RN)

2. El Centro College, Dallas (LVN-to-RN)

3. Brookhaven College, Farmers Branch (LVN-to-RN)

4. Tarleton State University, Stephenville (LVN-to-BSN)

5. Weatherford College, Weatherford (LVN-to-RN)

6. Hill College, Cleburne (LVN-to-RN)

7. Navarro College, Corsicana (LVN-to-RN)

8. Trinity Valley Community College, Kaufman (LVN-to-RN)

9. North Central Texas College, Gainesville (LVN-to-RN)

10. Northeast Texas Community College, Mount Pleasant (LVN-to-RN)

11. Grayson County College, Denison (LVN-to-RN)

12. Paris Junior College, Paris (LVN-to-RN)

13. Angelina College, Jasper (LVN-to-RN)

14. Texarkana College, Texarkana (LVN-to-RN)

15. Cisco Junior College, Abilene (LVN-to-RN)

16. Angelo State University, San Angelo (LVN-to-RN)

17. McLennan College, Waco (LVN-to-RN)

18. University of Texas at Tyler (LVN-to-BSN)

19. Tyler Junior College (LVN-to-RN)

20. Dallas Nursing Institute (LVN-to-RN)

[BOOSTISADRUG]

Are any of those bridge programs online completely except of course for the clinicals? Kind of like excelsior?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Are any of those bridge programs online completely except of course for the clinicals? Kind of like excelsior?

None of the aforementioned bridge programs are online, unless something has changed within the past year or so.

[darkbeauty]

I'm a Philly LPN since Oct 2009 and am seriously looking into relocating to warmer weathers, TX being 1st on the list.

I'm also concerned about the drenched job market for new grads. I have 3months LTC experience under my belt right now. By the time I really do the move hopefully I'll be 10-12months experienced. My priorities are:(in order)

1. Weather--has to be warmer than what the eastcoast is currently offering, especially winters.

2.Job market for LPNs.

3.Cost of living

4.Schools to further my nursing education

[darkbeauty]

O' and another question, how much is a typical credit hour down there. I pay $150 per credit hour up here in Philly, as a Philly resident. And one of the things that atttract me to TX are the affordable tuition rates. What are the good schools to bridge LPN-RN?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

O' and another question, how much is a typical credit hour down there. I pay $150 per credit hour up here in Philly, as a Philly resident. And one of the things that atttract me to TX are the affordable tuition rates. What are the good schools to bridge LPN-RN?

Look at post number 3 of this discussion, as it lists all of the LVN-to-RN bridge programs in the DFW area, North Texas, and East Texas. Most of the community colleges around here charge about $50 per credit hour, which would amount to $150 for a typical three credit hour class.

[RCKarolina]

If you're still looking for PT/FT/PRN let me know I have cases I need coverage for private duty home health. You can email me at [e-mail] with you resume and I will try my best to assist you with what you are looking for.

Karolina